Motorcycle riders stay healthy by recognizing and managing the risk inherent in two wheels.

Rob Brooks reckons that also applies to motorcycle dealers.

The owner of Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs Harley-Davidson dealerships recently added two very different marques – Ducati and BMW – under the roof of his sprawling dealership on North Nevada Avenue.

Although housed at Pikes Peak Harley-Davidson, the new dealership has its own name -Pikes Peak Motorsports – and its own entrance.

Brooks said this week the timing of his acquisition of the Ducati-BMW dealership, formerly located on 21st Street, was a “little awkward.”

“When we started talking (to owners Jack and Connie Thompson), we knew times were tough,” he said. “But we wanted to take the shot at it.”

Awkward might be an understatement.

The motorcycle industry, just as other segments of the economy, has been battered by the recession.

After a decade of stunning growth, fueled in part by baby boomers making a last run at fun, motorcycle sales fell 30.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

And highly profitable Harley-Davidson has seen its sales fall 13 percent in 2009, according to a recent company statement that was issued after it scrambled to capitalize its financing arm, which has seen a recent rise in the number of loan defaults by the riders of its bikes.

Brooks said he thinks adding Ducati, sexy Italian bikes with a long racing heritage; and BMW, sleek German cruisers and adventure bikes famous for their fit and finish; allows him to appeal to a wide range of riders who may not be interested in Harleys.

All three are well-known among motorcyclists.

Brooks also carries Hyosung – an entry-level Korean motorcycle that make low-riding, affordable bikes suitable for women riders – and MV Augusta – expensive, stunning-looking race replicas built in Italy, whose manufacturer was recently acquired by Harley-Davidson.

Harley itself has begun to offer a line of bikes whose styling, stance and price appeal to women and younger riders, and it has a subsidiary, Buell, that builds V-twin sport bikes.Brooks, in fact, is sponsoring a race team that uses 1,125 cc Buells.

He said the mechanics in his 18,000-square foot shop are cross-training to service all the brands, and he also has the only dealership in America with two master-certified technicians for Ducati and BMW bikes.

Colorado Springs Harley-Davidson, located just off Powers, will sell Harleys only.Brooks said he will now have the top-three brands in terms of dealer profitability. He figures that will help him ride out the recession.

“Last year was OK – nothing great,” Brooks said. “We’re just hoping to repeat last year’s performance. We’re confident there will be a turnaround late winter or early spring of next year.”

Brooks, who bought the Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs Harley-Davidson dealership from his parents, said his family is into two-wheels for the long haul.

“I hope to turn it over to my kids,” he said. “I have two girls – and they love motorcycles.”

–

Call the writer at 636-0197.

TCA’s Kaitlin Hanenburg will be busy defending 3A state titles this weekend. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE